Federal government implements facial recognition technology across all airports under its jurisdiction
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is planning to install enhanced Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) devices at 430 U.S. airports, marking a significant expansion of technology in the country. However, this move has sparked controversy and raised privacy concerns among lawmakers and travelers alike.
As of now, participation in facial recognition screenings is supposedly optional for travelers. Yet, reports suggest that some travelers were not given the option to reject the face scans. The system for managing this technology is expected to be run by non-human artificial intelligence.
The latest CAT scanners, known as CAT-2 units, incorporate facial recognition technology by capturing real-time pictures of travelers and comparing them against their photo IDs. The TSA claims to delete images from their system soon after taking them, but there are concerns about the data being passed on to other entities.
The effort to advance a bill preventing the TSA from using facial recognition technology is led by members of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. While the specific individual championing this legislation is not named, the Committee is broadly involved in legislative actions relating to security and privacy issues.
A bipartisan group of senators, led by Senators John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), introduced legislation in November 2023 to ban TSA from using facial recognition, citing privacy concerns. Their bill, called the Travelers' Insurance Act (TPIA), aims to prevent the TSA from storing travelers' biometric data and from 'further exploiting the technology and storing travelers' biodata.'
The TSA is allowing illegal aliens to board airplanes without showing any ID, but they are politely asked if they will submit to a face scan, with the option of saying 'no.' Many travelers at airports claim that signs alerting them to the photo taking and opt-out option are too small to notice.
The implementation of facial recognition technology could lead to assessments of individuals' carbon footprints and potential freezes on bank accounts if carbon limits are exceeded. This expansion of facial recognition technology aligns with the vision of technocrats associated with the World Economic Forum (WEF) for a world of total information awareness and real-time tracking.
The next expansion of universal facial recognition technology could potentially extend to patrons checking into hotels, casting votes in elections, checking into hospitals, and other everyday functions. The growing reliance on facial recognition has prompted calls for greater regulations around its quickly expanding usage.
Notably, former Republican member of Congress Michele Bachmann shared an experience of being subjected to facial recognition scanning at a U.S. airport without being given the option to opt out. As the debate surrounding facial recognition technology continues, it remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed and what regulations will be put in place to protect the privacy of travelers.
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